The Potomac River Gorge is a very dynamic section of the that covers a small portion of the Potomac River. It is broken into two basic sections, the Upper and the lower.
This Section of the gorge is the upper section where the river bottlenecks before the falls. Though you would think that there is not much to see here you couldn't be further from the truth. With the shifting sand chinging the flow of the river, continuing erosion of the rivers floodplain and islands, and rollin' rocks. This is an excellent place to study the ever changing enviroment of the potomac river.
The lower section starts at the falls and ends near Georgetown. The lower section has a different geologic setting than here because the water has cut thru so many layers of rock and the Falls have since receeded to where you see them today. The River Channel is also very deep as the water had cut thru the rocks to there are high walls on each side of the river.
At some point in time the Riverbend may be no more so enjoy it while you can!
Time will be spent in the visitor center looking at rocks and then applying it to what you see outdoors. There is also a nice hike with some very interesting information about Rocks and Sand as well as walking along the Potomac.
***Do not log this cache until you "already" sent in the answers, your log will be deleted otherwise without question.***
To Claim this cache you will have to go answer the questions below.
Visitor Cente Geology Display: N 39° 01.125 W 077° 14.762
1. When was this rock bent?
2. What is in the Quartz?
3. What was in the center of the Earth?
How'd this Sand get Here?: N 39° 01.330 W 077° 14.708
1. How many Years?
2. Why is the sand deposited here?
Oh Chute!: N 39° 01.411 W 077° 14.758
1. What "will" you be standing on?
The Rock: N N 39° 01.6125 W 077° 15.015
Walk to this site and figure out what type of rock this is by using the examples in the Visitor Center.
If you are Handicapped, i.e. wheelchair or crutches then you only need to answer the questions in blue. This is so everyone can enjoy a part of this park.
Visitor Center hours:
Weekdays: 9am-5pm
Weeklends: 12pm-5pm
Check out these other nearby Earthcaches located in Great Falls NP
Mather Gorge & Great Falls Earthcache
Two birds, one stone: Do stage one of All Gone Key In before doing this cache, you will know why when you do. Also there will be another cache nearby soon so it may become Three birds one stone. Well, four, but I have to keep one secret.